Phytase enzymes, nucleic acids encoding phytase enzymes and vectors and host cells incorporating same

ABSTRACT

A novel DNA is provided which encodes an enzyme having phytase activity isolated from  Penicillium.  Also provided for is a method of isolating DNA encoding an enzyme having phytase activity from organisms which possess such DNA, transformation of the DNA into a suitable host organism, expression of the transformed DNA and the use of the expressed phytase protein in feed as a supplement.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/148,960 filed Aug. 13, 1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to phytase, nucleic acids encoding phytase, as well as the production of phytase and its use.

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Phosphorous (P) is an essential element for growth. A substantial amount of the phosphorous found in conventional livestock feed, e.g., cereal grains, oil seed meal, and by products that originate from seeds, is in the form of phosphate which is covalently bound in a molecule know as phytate (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate). The bioavailability of phosphorus in this form is generally quite low for non-ruminants, such as poultry and swine, because they lack digestive enzymes for separating phosphorus from the phytate molecule.

Several important consequences of the inability of non-ruminants to utilize phytate may be noted. For example, expense is incurred when inorganic phosphorus (e.g., dicalcium phosphate, defluorinated phosphate) or animal products (e.g., meat and bone meal, fish meal) are added to meet the animals' nutritional requirements for phosphorus. Additonally, phytate can bind or chelate a number of minerals (e.g., calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, copper) in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby rendering them unavailable for absorption. Still further, most of the phytate present in feed passes through the gastrointestinal tract, elevating the amount of phorphorous in the manure. This leads to an increased ecological phosphorous burden on the environment.

Ruminants, such as cattle, in contrast, readily utilize phytate thanks to an enzyme produced by rumen microorganisms known as phytase. Phytase catalyzes the hydrolysis of phytate to (1) myo-inositol and/or (2) mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- and/or penta-phosphates thereof and (3) inorganic phosphate. Two different types of phytases are known: (1) a so-called 3-phytase (myo-inositol hexaphosphate 3-phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.8) and (2) a so-called 6-phytase (myo- inositol hexaphosphate 6-phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.26). The 3-phytase hydrolyses first the ester bond at the 3-position, whereas the 6-phytase hydrolyzes first the ester bond at the 6-position.

Microbial phytase, as a feed additive, has been found to improve the bioavailability of phytate phosphorous in typical non-ruminant diets (See, e.g., Cromwell, et al, 1993). The result is a decreased need to add inorganic phosphorous to animal feeds, as well as lower phosphorous levels in the excreted manure (See, e.g., Kornegay, et al, 1996).

Despite such advantages, few of the known phytases have gained widespread acceptance in the feed industry. The reasons for this vary from enzyme to enzyme. Typical concerns relate to high manufacture costs, and/or poor stability/activity of the enzyme in the environment of the desired application (e.g., the pH/temperature encountered in the processing of feedstuffs, or in the digestive tracts of animals).

It is, thus, generally desirable to discover and develop novel enzymes having good stability and phytase activity for use in connection with animal feed, and to apply advancements in fermentation technology to the production of such enzymes in order to make them commercially viable. It is also desirable to ascertain nucleotide sequences which can be used to produce more efficient genetically engineered organisms capable of expressing such phytases in quantities suitable for industrial production. It is still further desirable to develop a phytase expression system via genetic engineering which will enable the purification and utilization of working quantities of relatively pure enzyme.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a purified enzyme having phytase activity which is derived from a microbial source, and preferably from a fungal source, such as a Penicillium species, e.g., P. hordei (formerly P. hirsutum; ATCC No. 22053), P. piceum (ATCC No. 10519), or P. brevi-compactum (ATCC No. 48944).

The present invention further provides a polynucleotide sequence coding for the enzyme comprising a DNA as shown in any one of FIGS. 1A-1C; a polynucleotide which encodes the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 2; a polynucleotide which encodes a phytase which comprises an amino acid segment which differs from the sequence in FIG. 2, provided that the polynucleotide encodes a derivative of the phytase specifically described herein; and a polynucleotide which encodes a phytase that comprises an amino acid segment which differs from the sequence in FIG. 2, provided that the polynucleotide hybridizes under medium to high stringency conditions with a DNA comprising all or part of the DNA in any one of FIGS. 1A-1C.

The present invention also provides a polynucleotide encoding an enzyme having phytate hydrolyzing activity and including a nucleotide sequence as shown in FIG. 17; a polynucleotide which encodes the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 17; a polynucleotide which encodes a phytase which comprises an amino acid segment which differs from the sequence in FIG. 17, provided that the polynucleotide encodes a derivative of the phytase specifically described herein; and a polynucleotide which encodes a phytase that comprises an amino acid segment which differs from the sequence in FIG. 17, provided that the polynucleotide hybridizes under medium to high stringency conditions with a nucleotide sequence as shown in FIG. 17.

Additionally, the present invention encompasses vectors which include the polynucleotide sequences described above, host cells which have been transformed with such polynucleotide or vectors, fermentation broths comprising such host cells and phytase proteins encoded by such polynucleotide which are expressed by the host cells. Preferably, the polynucleotide of the invention is in purified or isolated form and is used to prepare a transformed host cell capable of producing the encoded protein product thereof. Additionally, polypeptides which are the expression product of the polynucleotide sequences described above are within the scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides an isolated or purified polynucleotide derived from a fungal source of the genus Penicillium, which polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding an enzyme having phytase activity. The fungal source can be selected, for example, from the group consisting of Penicillium piceum and Penicillium hordei.

According to one embodiment, the polynucleotide encodes an phytate-hydrolyzing enzyme including an amino acid sequence having at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 4.

One embodiment of the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence (i) having at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3, or (ii) being capable of hybridizing to a probe derived from the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3 under conditions of intermediate to high stringency, or (iii) being complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding an enzyme having phytase activity, wherein the enzyme is derived from a Penicillium source. The source can be selected, for example, from the group consisting of Penicillium piceum and Penicillium hordei.

In one embodiment, the polynucleotide encodes a phytate-hydrolyzing enzyme that includes an amino acid sequence having at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 4.

In another embodiment, the polynucleotide has at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3, or (ii) is capable of hybridizing to a probe derived from the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3 under conditions of medium to high stringency, or (iii) is complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3.

Yet a further aspect of the present invention provides an expression construct including a polynucleotide sequence (i) having at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3, or (ii) being capable of hybridizing to a probe derived from the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3 under conditions of medium to high stringency, or (iii) being complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3. Also provided are a vector (e.g., a plasmid) including such expression construct, and a host cell (such as an Aspergillus, e.g., Aspergillus niger or Aspergillus nidulans) transformed with such a vector.

In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a probe for use in detecting nucleic acid sequences coding for an enzyme having phytase activity derived from a microbial source, comprising: a nucleotide sequence (i) having at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3, or (ii) being capable of hybridizing to a polynucleotide including a sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3 under conditions of medium to high stringency, or (iii) being complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3.

In one embodiment, the microbial source is a fungal source, e.g., a Penicillium species, such as Penicillium hordei or Penicillium piceum.

The present invention additionally provides a food or animal feed including an enzyme having phytase activity, wherein the enzyme comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 4.

The present invention provides food or animal feed including an enzyme having phytase activity, wherein the enzyme is derived from a fungal source selected from the group consisting of Penicillium hordei and Penicillium piceum.

One aspect of the present invention provides an isolated phytase enzyme wherein the enzyme is obtained from a fungus selected from the group consisting of P. piceum and P. hordei, and has the following physiochemical properties: (1) Molecular weight: between about 45-55 kDa (non-glycosylated); and (2) Specificity: phytate.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides an enzyme derived from a fungal species (e.g., a Penicillium, such as P. piceum and P. hordei), or encoded by a nucleotide sequence capable of hybridising to SEQ ID NO.1, SEQ ID NO. 2, SEQ ID NO. 3, or the polynucleotide sequence of FIG. 17 under conditions of intermediate to high stringency, and having one or more of the following physiochemical properties:

(1) Molecular weight: between about 45-60 kDa (non-glycosylated) [based on a protein of 489 amino acids];

(2) An activity that is specific towards phytate, phytic acid or myo-inositol hexa-phosphate, and/or lower phosphate derivatives thereof;

(3) A theoretical pl of between about 7 and 7.6; e.g., 7.3;

(4) A pH optimum within a range of about 4.5-5.5, e.g., about 5; and/or (5) An ambient temperature optimum of 40-45 degree C., e.g, 42-44 degree C.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of producing an enzyme having phytase activity, comprising:

(a) providing a host cell transformed with an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide as described herein;

(b) cultivating the transformed host cell under conditions suitable for the host cell to produce the phytase; and

(c) recovering the phytase.

According to one embodiment, the host cell is an Aspergillus species, such as A. niger or A. nidulans.

In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a method of separating phosphorous from phytate, comprising the step of treating the phytate with an enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 4.

The present invention further provides a method of separating phosphorous from phytate, comprising the step of treating the phytate with an enzyme as defined above.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a phytate-hydrolyzing enzyme that includes an amino acid sequence having at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in FIG. 17.

A further aspect of the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide including a nucleotide sequence (i) having at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in FIG. 17, or (ii) being capable of hybridizing to a probe derived from the nucleotide sequence disclosed in FIG. 17 under conditions of intermediate to high stringency, or (iii) being complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in FIG. 17.

In one embodiment, the isolated polynucleotide encodes a phytate-hydrolyzing enzyme derived from Penicillium piceum or Penicillium hordei. The enzyme includes, according to one embodiment, an amino acid sequence having at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in FIG. 17.

In another embodiment, the polynucleotide includes a nucleotide sequence (i) having at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in FIG. 17, or (ii) capable of hybridizing to a probe derived from the nucleotide sequence disclosed in FIG. 17 under conditions of medium to high stringency, or (iii) complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in FIG. 17.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an expression construct comprising a polynucleotide including a nucleotide sequence (i) having at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in FIG. 17, or (ii) being capable of hybridizing to a probe derived from the nucleotide sequence disclosed in FIG. 17 under conditions of medium to high stringency, or (iii) being complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in FIG. 17. The present invention further provides a vector (e.g., plasmid) including such an expression construct, as well as a host cell (e.g., Aspergillus niger or Aspergillus nigulans) transformed with such a vector.

The present invention additionally provides a probe for use in detecting nucleic acid sequences coding for an enzyme having phytase activity derived from a microbial source, comprising: a nucleotide sequence (i) having at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in FIG. 17, or (ii) being capable of hybridizing to a polynucleotide including a sequence as disclosed in FIG. 17 under conditions of medium to high stringency, or (iii) being complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in FIG. 17.

In one embodiment, the microbial source is a fungal source, e.g., a Penicillium species, such as P. hordei or P. piceum.

The present invention further provides a food or animal feed including an enzyme having phytase activity, wherein the enzyme includes an amino acid sequence having at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in FIG. 17.

Still further, the present invention provides a method of separating phosphorous from phytate, comprising the step of treating the phytate with an enzyme (i) having phytate hydrolyzing activity and (ii) including an amino acid sequence having at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or about 100% identity to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in FIG. 17.

As will be appreciated, an advantage of the present invention is that a polynucleotide has been isolated which provides the capability of isolating further polynucleotides which encode proteins having phytase activity.

Another advantage of the present invention is that, by virtue of providing a polynucleotide encoding a protein having phytase activity, it is possible to produce through recombinant means a host cell which is capable of producing the protein having phytase activity in relatively large quantities.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that commercial application of proteins having phytase activity is made practical. For example, the present invention provides animal feed incorporating the phytase described herein.

Still a further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an enzyme having phytate hydrolyzing activity, with such activity being optimum at temperatures from about 40 to about 45 degrees C., which make it very suitable to for use in animal feed (i.e., the enzyme has high activity at the point of action, in the gut of an animal).

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a nucleic acid sequence (SEQ. ID NO:1) corresponding to a gene encoding a phytase hydrolyzing enzyme derived from Penicillium hordei, with the following features highlighted: an ATG start codon (bold) for Met of phytase; an intron (lower case); and a TAG stop codon (bold). Notably, two exons (120 bp and 1347 bp) are shown, separated by 5′ intron 120 bp long.

FIG. 1B shows the contiguous region of the sequence of FIG. 1A between the start (ATG) and stop (TAG) codons (SEQ ID NO:2).

FIG. 1C shows, as a contiguous sequence, the region of the sequence of FIG. 1A between the start and stop codons, with the 120 bp intron removed (SEQ ID NO:3).

FIG. 2 illustrates the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:4) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are growth curves for P. piceum and P. hordei, respectively, showing the effect of available P in the medium on growth over time.

FIG. 5A shows an alignment for four published fungal phytase amino acid sequences, showing conserved regions (highlighted in black border) used to design degenerate primers for PCR.

FIG. 5B shows an alignment for the four published fungal phytase amino acid sequences of FIG. 5A, along with the sequence of the P. hordei and P. piceum sequences of the present invention (SEQ ID NO. ______ and SEQ ID NO. ______, respectively).

FIG. 6 shows an alignment of published amino acid sequences for phyA and phyB phytases from A. niger, from which degenerate primers CS1 and CS2 were designed. Conserved sequences used to design primers CS1, CS2 are shown.

FIG. 7 shows the amino acid sequences for four published fungal phytases aligned with (i) the translated amino acid sequence from the PCR product obtained using primers CS1 and CS2 (line 2, denoted as “P. hordei3D), and (ii) the translated amino acid sequence from approx. 80% of the P. hordei phytase gene (i.e., N-terminal portion missing) obtained from the first P. hordei genomic library (line 1, denoted has “P hordei”).

FIG. 8 illustrates a Southern blot gel showing hybridization between a probe comprising the PCR product obtained using degenerate primers CS1 and CS2 and various digests of fungal genomic DNA; with: Lane 1—Size marker; Lane 2—Aspergillus niger—EcoRI; Lane 3—Penicillium piceum—EcoRI; Lane 4—Penicilium hordei—EcoRI; Lane 5—Penicillium hordei—BamHI; Lane 6—Penicillium hordei—SalI; Lane 7—Penicillium hordei—KpnI; and, Lane 8—Penicillium hordei—SacI.

FIG. 9 illustrates the nucleic acid sequences of a clone, denoted as CS101, obtained upon generating and screening a P. hordei genomic library (SEQ ID NO ______). CS101 contains a 4.8 Kb fragment from P. hordei in the commercial cloning vector pSK II⁺ Bluescript (Stratagene; La Jolla, Calif.). 1.7 Kb of this insert sequence is phyA phytase sequence from P. hordei and represents 80% of the coding region of the gene (including 3′ end), and downstream regulatory regions.

FIG. 10 illustrates a 5′/N-terminal nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO. ______) and a 3′/C-terminal sequence (SEQ ID NO. ______) of a clone, denoted as CS158. The deduced amino sequence corresponding to each nucleic acid sequence is also shown (SEQ ID NO. ______ and SEQ ID NO. ______, respectively). Clone CS158 was generated by PCR from combination of the primers CS201-204. A band of appropriate size was produced (FIG. 12), cloned and sequenced. The deduced amino sequence is outlined underneath. Preliminary deduced amino acid sequence for phytase is shown in bold. The sequencing of CS158 was incomplete in that there was an approximate gap of 70 amino acids representing the middle of the gene. Reamplification with redesigned primers (FIG. 13) generated full sequence, analysed to be phytase. The C-terminal end of CS158 was shown to be 100% homologous to that from CS101.

FIG. 11 provides an illustration of the vector in pGAPT-PG, which can be used for the expression of P. hordei phytate hydrolyzing enzyme in Aspergillus.

FIG. 12 shows a PCR amplification of putative phytase gene using primers designed from sequence of genomic phytase clones isolated from P. hordei.

FIG. 13 shows a PCR amplification of putative phytase gene using primers designed from the phytase gene sequence of clone CS158.

FIG. 14 shows a Southern Blot analysis of Aspergillus nidulans transformed with P. hordei phytase gene.

FIG. 15 shows a pH profile of phytase enzyme from P. hordei.

FIG. 16 shows a temperature-activity profile of phytase enzyme from P. hordei.

FIG. 17 shows the full sequence of an 853 bp fragment (SEQ ID NO. ______) of phytase from P. piceum (5′-3′), from a clone denoted as CS142, as well as a deduced amino acid sequence (283 amino acids) (SEQ ID NO. ______). Motifs important for phytase structure and function and Cys residues important for structure within this sequence are in bold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

I. Definitions

Unless defined otherwise herein, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Singleton, et al., DICTIONARY OF MICROBIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, 2D ED., John Wiley and Sons, New York (1994), and Hale & Marham, THE HARPER COLLINS DICTIONARY OF BIOLOGY, Harper Perennial, NY (1991) provide one of skill with a general dictionary of many of the terms used in this invention. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described. Numeric ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range. Unless otherwise indicated, nucleic acids are written left to right in 5′ to 3′ orientation; amino acid sequences are written left to right in amino to carboxy orientation, respectively. The headings provided herein are not limitations of the various aspects or embodiments of the invention which can be had by reference to the specification as a whole. Accordingly, the terms defined immediately below are more fully defined by reference to the specification as a whole.

As used herein, the term “phytase” or “phytase activity” refers to a protein or polypeptide which is capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of phytate to (1) myo-inositol and/or (2) mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- and/or penta-phosphates thereof and (3) inorganic phosphate. For example, enzymes having catalytic activity as defined in Enzyme Commission EC number 3.1.3.8, or EC number 3.1.3.26.

The term “identical” in the context of two nucleic acids or polypeptide sequences refers to the residues in the two sequences that are the same when aligned for maximum correspondence, as measured using one of the following sequence comparison or analysis algorithms.

“Optimal alignment” is defined as an alignment giving the highest percent identity score. Such alignment can be performed using a variety of commercially available sequence analysis programs, such as the local alignment program LALIGN using a ktup of 1, default parameters and the default PAM. A preferred alignment is the pairwise alignment performed using the CLUSTAL-W program in MACVECTOR, operated in “slow” alignment mode using default parameters, including an open gap penalty of 10.0, an extend gap penalty of 0.1, and a BLOSUM30 similarity matrix. If a gap needs to be inserted into a first sequence to optimally align it with a second sequence, the percent identity is calculated using only the residues that are paired with a corresponding amino acid residue (i.e., the calculation does not consider residues in the second sequences that are in the “gap” of the first sequence).

Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison can also be conducted, e.g., by the local homology algorithm of Smith & Waterman, Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482 (1981), by the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman & Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol. 48:443 (1970), by the search for similarity method of Pearson & Lipman, Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444 (1988), by computerized implementations of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Dr., Madison, Wis.), or by visual inspection.

“Percent sequence identity”, with respect to two amino acid or polynucleotide sequences, refers to the percentage of residues that are identical in the two sequences when the sequences are optimally aligned. Thus, 80% amino acid sequence identity means that 80% of the amino acids in two optimally aligned polypeptide sequences are identical.

Percent identity can be determined, for example, by a direct comparison of the sequence information between two molecules by aligning the sequences, counting the exact number of matches between the two aligned sequences, dividing by the length of the shorter sequence, and multiplying the result by 100. Readily available computer programs can be used to aid in the analysis, such as ALIGN, Dayhoff, M. O. in Atlas of Protein Sequence and Structure M. O. Dayhoff ed.,* 5 Suppl. 3:353-358, National biomedical Research Foundation, Washington, D.C., which adapts the local homology algorithm of Smith and Waterman (1981) Advances in Appl. Math. 2:482-489 for peptide analysis. Programs for determining nucleotide sequence identity are available in the Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package, Version 8 (available from Genetics Computer-Group, Madison, Wis.) for example, the BESTFIT, FASTA and GAP programs, which also rely on the Smith and Waterman algorithm. These programs are readily utilized with the default parameters recommended by the manufacturer and described in the Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package referred to above.

An example of an algorithm that is suitable for determining sequence similarity is the BLAST algorithm, which is described in Altschul, et al., J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410 (1990). Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). This algorithm involves first identifying high scoring sequence pairs (HSPs) by identifying short words of length W in the query sequence that either match or satisfy some positive-valued threshold score T when aligned with a word of the same length in a database sequence. These initial neighborhood word hits act as starting points to find longer HSPs containing them. The word hits are expanded in both directions along each of the two sequences being compared for as far as the cumulative alignment score can be increased. Extension of the word hits is stopped when: the cumulative alignment score falls off by the quantity X from a maximum achieved value; the cumulative score goes to zero or below; or the end of either sequence is reached. The BLAST algorithm parameters W, T, and X determine the sensitivity and speed of the alignment. The BLAST program uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 11, the BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (see Henikoff & Henikoff, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915 (1989)) alignments (B) of 50, expectation (E) of 10, M′5, N′-4, and a comparison of both strands.

The BLAST algorithm then performs a statistical analysis of the similarity between two sequences (see, e.g., Karlin & Altschul, Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-5787 (1993)). One measure of similarity provided by the BLAST algorithm is the smallest sum probability (P(N)), which provides an indication of the probability by which a match between two nucleotide or amino acid sequences would occur by chance. For example, a nucleic acid is considered similar to a phytase nucleic acid of this invention if the smallest sum probability in a comparison of the test nucleic acid to a phytase nucleic acid is less than about 0.1, more preferably less than about 0.01, and most preferably less than about 0.001. Where the test nucleic acid encodes a phytase polypeptide, it is considered similar to a specified phytase nucleic acid if the comparison results in a smallest sum probability of less than about 0.5, and more preferably less than about 0.2.

The phrase “substantially identical” in the context of two nucleic acids or polypeptides thus typically means that a polynucleotide or polypeptide comprises a sequence that has at least 60% sequence identity, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90% and most preferably at least 95%, compared to a reference sequence using the programs described above (e.g., BLAST, ALIGN, CLUSTAL) using standard parameters. One indication that two polypeptides are substantially identical is that the first polypeptide is immunologically cross-reactive with the second polypeptide. Typically, polypeptides that differ by conservative amino acid substitutions are immunologically cross-reactive. Thus, a polypeptide is substantially identical to a second polypeptide, for example, where the two peptides differ only by a conservative substitution. Another indication that two nucleic acid sequences are substantially identical is that the two molecules hybridize to each other under stringent conditions (e.g., within a range of medium to high stringency).

“Hybridization” includes any process by which a strand of a nucleic acid joins with a complementary nucleic acid strand through base-pairing. Thus, strictly speaking, the term refers to the ability of the complement of the target sequence to bind to a test sequence, or vice-versa.

“Hybridization conditions” are typically classified by degree of “stringency” of the conditions under which hybridization is measured. The degree of stringency can be based, for example, on the melting temperature (Tm) of the nucleic acid binding complex or probe. For example, “maximum stringency” typically occurs at about Tm−5° C. (5° below the Tm of the probe); “high stringency” at about 5-10° below the Tm; “intermediate stringency” at about 10-20° below the Tm of the probe; and “low stringency” at about 20-25° below the Tm. Alternatively, or in addition, hybridization conditions can be based upon the salt or ionic strength conditions of hybridization and/or one or more stringency washes. For example, 6×SSC=very low stringency; 3×SSC=low to medium stringency; 1×SSC=medium stringency; and 0.5×SSC=high stringency. Functionally, maximum stringency conditions may be used to identify nucleic acid sequences having strict identity or near-strict identity with the hybridization probe; while high stringency conditions are used to identify nucleic acid sequences having about 80% or more sequence identity with the probe.

For applications requiring high selectivity, one will typically desire to employ relatively stringent conditions to form the hybrids, e.g., one will select relatively low salt and/or high temperature conditions. Hybridization conditions, including moderate stringency and high stringency, are provided in Sambrook et al., incorporated herein by reference.

The term “isolated” or “purified” means that a material is removed from its original environment (e.g., the natural environment if it is naturally occurring). For example, the material is said to be “purified” when it is present in a particular composition in a higher or lower concentration than exists in a naturally occurring or wild type organism or in combination with components not normally present upon expression from a naturally occurring or wild type organism. For example, a naturally-occurring polynucleotide or polypeptide present in a living animal is not isolated, but the same polynucleotide or polypeptide, separated from some or all of the coexisting materials in the natural system, is isolated. Such polynucleotides could be part of a vector, and/or such polynucleotides or polypeptides could be part of a composition, and still be isolated in that such vector or composition is not part of its natural environment. A nucleic acid or protein is said to be purified, for example, if it gives rise to essentially one band in an electrophoretic gel.

As used herein in referring to phytate hydrolyzing enzymes (phytases), the term “derived from” is intended not only to indicate a phytase produced or producible by a strain of the organism in question, but also a phytase encoded by a DNA sequence isolated from such strain and produced in a host organism containing such DNA sequence. Additionally, the term is intended to indicate a phytase which is encoded by a DNA sequence of synthetic and/or cDNA origin and which has the identifying characteristics of the phytase in question. To exemplify, “phytases derived from Penicillium” refers to those enzymes having phytase activity which are naturally-produced by Penicillium, as well as to phytases like those produced by Penicillium sources but which through the use of genetic engineering techniques are produced by non-Penicillium organisms transformed with a nucleic acid encoding said phytases.

The present invention encompasses phytate hydrolyzing enzymes that are equivalent to those that are derived from the particular microbial strain mentioned. Being “equivalent,” in this context, means that the phytate hydrolyzing enzymes are encoded by a polynucleotide capable of hybridizing to the polynucleotide having the sequence as shown in any one of FIGS. 1A-1C under conditions of medium to high stringency. Being equivalent means that the phytate hydrolyzing enzyme comprises at least 55%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% identity to the phytate hydrolyzing enzyme having the amino acid sequence disclosed in FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO:4).

The present invention also encompasses mutants, variants and derivatives of the phytate hydrolyzing enzymes of the present invention as long as the mutant, variant or derivative phytate hydrolyzing enzyme is able to retain at least one characteristic activity of the naturally occurring phytate hydrolyzing enzyme.

As used herein, the term “mutants and variants”, when referring to phytate hydrolyzing enzymes, refers to phytate hydrolyzing enzymes obtained by alteration of the naturally occurring amino acid sequence and/or structure thereof, such as by alteration of the DNA nucleotide sequence of the structural gene and/or by direct substitution and/or alteration of the amino acid sequence and/or structure of the phytate hydrolyzing enzyme.

The term “derivative” or “functional derivative” as it relates to phytase is used herein to indicate a derivative of phytase which has the functional characteristics of phytase of the present invention. Functional derivatives of phytase encompass naturally occurring, synthetically or recombinantly produced peptides or peptide fragments, mutants or variants which may have one or more amino acid deletions, substitutions or additions which have the general characteristics of the phytase of the present invention.

The term “functional derivative” as it relates to nucleic acids encoding phytase is used throughout the specification to indicate a derivative of a nucleic acid which has the functional characteristics of a nucleic acid which encodes phytase. Functional derivatives of a nucleic acid which encode phytase of the present invention encompass naturally occurring, synthetically or recombinantly produced nucleic acids or fragments, mutants or variants thereof which may have one or more nucleic acid deletions, substitutions or additions and encode phytase characteristic of the present invention. Variants of nucleic acid encoding phytase according to the invention include alleles and variants based on the degeneracy of the genetic code known in the art. Mutants of nucleic acid encoding phytase according to the invention include mutants produced via site-directed mutagenesis techniques (see for example, Botstein, D. and Shortle, D., 1985, Science 229:1193-1201 and Myers, R. M., Lerman, L. S., and Maniatis, T., 1985, Science 229: 242-247), error-prone PCR (see for example, Leung, D. W., Chen, E., and Goeddel, D. V., 1989, Technique 1: 11-15; Eckert, K. A. and Kunkel, T. A., 1991, PCR Methods Applic. 1: 17-24; and Cadwell, R. C. and Joyce, G. F., 1992, PCR Methods Applic. 2: 28-33) and/or chemical-induced mutagenesis techniques known in the art (see for example, Elander, R. P., Microbial screening, Selection and Strain Improvement, in Basic Biotechnology, J. Bullock and B. Kristiansen Eds., Academic Press, New York, 1987, 217).

“Expression vector” means a DNA construct comprising a DNA sequence which is operably linked to a suitable control sequence capable of effecting the expression of the DNA in a suitable host. Such control sequences may include a promoter to effect transcription, an optional operator sequence to control such transcription, a sequence encoding suitable ribosome-binding sites on the mRNA, and sequences which control termination of transcription and translation. Different cell types are preferably used with different expression vectors. A preferred promoter for vectors used in Bacillus subtilis is the AprE promoter; a preferred promoter used in E. coli is the Lac promoter and a preferred promoter used in Aspergillus niger is glaA. The vector may be a plasmid, a phage particle, or simply a potential genomic insert. Once transformed into a suitable host, the vector may replicate and function independently of the host genome, or may, under suitable conditions, integrate into the genome itself. In the present specification, plasmid and vector are sometimes used interchangeably. However, the invention is intended to include other forms of expression vectors which serve equivalent functions and which are, or become, known in the art. Thus, a wide variety of host/expression vector combinations may be employed in expressing the DNA sequences of this invention. Useful expression vectors, for example, may consist of segments of chromosomal, non-chromosomal and synthetic DNA sequences such as various known derivatives of SV40 and known bacterial plasmids, e.g., plasmids from E. coli including col E1, pCR1, pBR322, pMb9, pUC 19 and their derivatives, wider host range plasmids, e.g., RP4, phage DNAs e.g., the numerous derivatives of phage λ, e.g., NM989, and other DNA phages, e.g., M13 and filamentous single stranded DNA phages, yeast plasmids such as the 2μ plasmid or derivatives thereof, vectors useful in eukaryotic cells, such as vectors useful in animal cells and vectors derived from combinations of plasmids and phage DNAs, such as plasmids which have been modified to employ phage DNA or other expression control sequences. Expression techniques using the expression vectors of the present invention are known in the art and are described generally in, for example, Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Press (1989). Often, such expression vectors including the DNA sequences of the invention are transformed into a unicellular host by direct insertion into the genome of a particular species through an integration event (see e.g., Bennett & Lasure, More Gene Manipulations in Fungi, Academic Press, San Diego, pp. 70-76 (1991) and articles cited therein describing targeted genomic insertion in fungal hosts, incorporated herein by reference).

“Host strain” or “host cell” means a suitable host for an expression vector comprising DNA according to the present invention. Host cells useful in the present invention are generally procaryotic or eucaryotic hosts, including any transformable microorganism in which expression can be achieved. For example, host strains can be Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus nidulans. Host cells are transformed or transfected with vectors constructed using recombinant DNA techniques. Such transformed host cells are capable of both replicating vectors encoding phytase and its variants (mutants) or expressing the desired peptide product.

Examples of appropriate expression hosts include: bacterial cells, such as E. coli, Streptomyces, Salmonella typhimurium; fungal cells, such as Aspergillus and Penicillium; insect cells such as Drosophila and Spodoptera Sf9; animal cells such as CHO, COS, HEK 293 or Bowes melanoma; plant cells, etc. The selection of an appropriate host is deemed to be within the scope of those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. It should be noted that the invention is not limited by the particular host cells employed.

II. Phytase Enzymes and Nucleic Acid Encoding Phytase Enzymes

One aspect of the present invention provides proteins or polypeptides which are capable of catalysing the hydrolysis of phytate and releasing inorganic phosphate; for example, enzymes having catalytic activity as defined in Enzyme Commission EC number 3.1.3.8, or in EC number 3.1.3.26. In one preferred embodiment, the invention provides a so-called 3-phytase. The present invention additionally encompasses polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) which encode such phytate hydrolyzing proteins or polypeptides.

Preferably, the phytase and/or polynucleotides encoding the phytase according to the present invention is derived from a fungus, more preferably from an anaerobic fungus and most preferably from Penicillium spp., e.g., Penicillium hordei or Penicillium piceum. Thus, it is contemplated that the phytase or the DNA encoding the phytase according to the invention can be derived from Absidia spp.; Acremonium spp.; Actinomycetes spp.; Agaricus spp.; Anaeromyces spp.; Aspergillus spp., including A. auculeatus, A. awamori, A. flavus, A. foetidus, A. fumaricus, A. fumigatus, A. nidulans, A. niger, A. oryzae, A. terreus and A. versicolor; Aeurobasidium spp.; Cephalosporum spp.; Chaetomium spp.; Coprinus spp.; Dactyllum spp.; Fusarium spp., including F. conglomerans, F. decemcellulare, F. javanicum, F. lini, F. oxysporum and F. solani; Gliocladium spp.; Humicola spp., including H. insolens and H. lanuginosa; Mucor spp.; Neurospora spp., including N. crassa and N. sitophila; Neocallimastix spp.; Orpinomyces spp.; Penicillium spp; Phanerochaete spp.; Phlebia spp.; Piromyces spp.; Pseudomonas spp.; Rhizopus spp.; Schizophyllum spp.; Streptomyces spp; Trametes spp.; and Trichoderma spp., including T. reesei, T. longibrachiatum and T. viride; and Zygorhynchus spp. Similarly, it is envisioned that a phytase and/or DNA encoding a phytase as described herein may be derived from bacteria such as Streptomyces spp., including S. olivochromogenes; specifically fiber degrading ruminal bacteria such as Fibrobacter succinogenes; and in yeast including Candida torresii; C. parapsilosis; C. sake; C. zeylanoides; Pichia minuta; Rhodotorula glutinis; R. mucilaginosa; and Sporobolomyces holsaticus.

In one preferred embodiment, the phytase and/or polynucleotides encoding the phytase according to the present invention is/are derived from (i) a grain-spoilage fungus, such as Penicillium hordei, Penicillium piceum, or Penicillium brevi-compactum; or (ii) an ectomycorrhizal fungus associated with tree roots, e.g., Laccaria laccata, Laccaria rufus, Paxillus involutus, Hebeloma crustuliniforme, Amanita rubescens, or Amanita muscaria.

According to a preferred embodiment, the phytase and/or polynucleotide encoding the phytase of the present invention is in a purified form, i.e., present in a particular composition in a higher or lower concentration than exists in a naturally occurring or wild type organism or in combination with components not normally present upon expression from a naturally occurring or wild type organism.

The invention encompasses phytate hydrolyzing proteins and peptides comprising at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% identity to the phytate hydrolyzing enzyme having the amino acid sequence disclosed in FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO:4).

The inventon further encompasses polynucleotides, e.g., DNA, which encode phytate hydrolyzing enzymes derived from fungal sources, such as Penicillium spp., which polynucleotides include a sequence having at least 65% identity, at least 70% identity, at least 75% identity, at least 80% identity, at least 85% identity, at least 90% identity and at least 95% identity to the polynucleotide sequence disclosed in any one of FIGS. 1A-1C, as long as the enzyme encoded by the polynucleotide is capable of catalysing the hydrolysis of phytate and releasing inorganic phosphate. In a preferred embodiment, the polynucleotide encoding the phytate hydrolyzing enzyme has the polynucleotide sequence as shown in any one of FIGS. 1A-1C, or is capable of hybridizing to the polynucleotide sequence as shown in any one of FIGS. 1A-1C, or is complementary thereto. As will be understood by the skilled artisan, due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, a variety of polynucleotides can encode the phytate hydrolyzing enzyme disclosed in FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO:4). The present invention encompasses all such polynucleotides.

III. Obtaining Polynucleotides Encoding a Phytate Hydrolyzing Enzyme

The nucleic acid encoding a phytate hydrolyzing enzyme may be obtained by standard procedures known in the art from, for example, cloned DNA (e.g., a DNA “library”), by chemical synthesis, by cDNA cloning, by PCR, or by the cloning of genomic. DNA, or fragments thereof, purified from a desired cell, such as a fungal species (See, for example, Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2d Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; Glover, D M and Hames, B D (Eds.), DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach, Vols 1 and 2, Second Edition). Nucleic acid sequences derived from genomic DNA may contain regulatory regions in addition to coding regions.

In the molecular cloning of the gene from genomic DNA, DNA fragments are generated, some of which will comprise at least a portion of the desired gene. The DNA may be cleaved at specific sites using various restriction enzymes. Alternatively, one may use DNAse in the presence of manganese to fragment the DNA, or the DNA can be physically sheared, as for example, by sonication. The linear DNA fragments can then be separated according to size by standard techniques, including but not limited to, agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, PCR and column chromatography.

Once nucleic acid fragments are generated, identification of the specific DNA fragment encoding a phytate hydrolyzing enzyme may be accomplished in a number of ways. For example, a phytate hydrolyzing enzyme encoding gene of the present invention or its specific RNA, or a fragment thereof, such as a probe or primer, may be isolated and labeled and then used in hybridization assays to detect a generated gene. (Benton, W. and Davis, R., 1977, Science 196:180; Grunstein, M. and Hogness, D., 1975, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 72:3961). Those DNA fragments sharing substantial sequence similarity to the probe will hybridize under medium to high stringency.

The present invention encompasses phytate hydrolyzing enzymes derived from fungal species (esp., Penicillium species) which are identified through nucleic acid hybridization techniques using SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3, or a suitable portion or fragment thereof (e.g., at least about 10-15 contiguous nucleotides), as a probe or primer and screening nucleic acid of either genomic of cDNA origin. Nucleic acid encoding phytate hydrolyzing enzymes derived from Penicillium species and having at least 65% identity to SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3 or a portion or fragment thereof can be detected by DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridization or amplification using probes, portions or fragments of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for the detection of nucleic acid encoding a phytate hydrolyzing enzyme encompassed by the present invention which comprises hybridizing part is or all of a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3 with Penicillium nucleic acid of either genomic or cDNA origin.

Also included within the scope of the present invention are polynucleotide sequences that are capable of hybridizing to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3 under conditions of medium to high stringency. In one embodiment, hybridization conditions are based on the melting temperature (Tm) of the nucleic acid binding complex, as taught in Berger and Kimmel (1987, Guide to Molecular Cloning Techniques, Methods in Enzymology, Vol 152, Academic Press, San Diego Calif.) incorporated herein by reference, and confer a defined stringency. In this embodiment, “maximum stringency” typically occurs at about Tm−5° C. (5° C. below the Tm of the probe); “high stringency” at about 5° C. to 10° C. below Tm; “medium” or “intermediate stringency” at about 10° C. to 20° C. below Tm; and “low stringency” at about 20° C. to 25° C. below Tm. A maximum stringency hybridization can be used to identify or detect identical or near-identical polynucleotide sequences, while an intermediate or low stringency hybridization can be used to identify or detect polynucleotide sequence homologs.

In another embodiment, the stringency is determined by the washing conditions employed after hybridization. “Low-stringency” conditions, for purposes of this embodiment, comprise washing with a solution of 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at 20° C. for 15 minutes. “Standard-stringency” conditions comprise a further washing step comprising washing with a solution of 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at 37° C. for 30 minutes.

The process of amplification as carried out in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technologies is described in Dieffenbach C W and G S Dveksler (1995, PCR Primer, a Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Plainview N.Y.). A nucleic acid sequence of at least about 10 nucleotides and as many as about 60 nucleotides from SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3, preferably about 12 to 30 nucleotides, and more preferably about nucleotides can be used as a probe or PCR primer.

A preferred method of isolating a nucleic acid construct of the invention from a cDNA or genomic library is by use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using degenerate oligonucleotide probes prepared on the basis of the amino acid sequence of the protein having the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:4. For instance, the PCR may be carried out using the techniques described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202.

In view of the above, it will be appreciated that the polynucleotide sequences provided in FIGS. 1A-1C are useful for obtaining identical or homologous fragments of polynucleotides from other species, and particularly from fungi (e.g., the grain-spoilage fungi, or the Ectomycorrhizae) which encode enzymes having phytase activity.

IV. Expression and Recovery of Phytate Hydrolyzing Enzymes

The polynucleotide sequences of the present invention may be expressed by operatively linking them to an expression control sequence in an appropriate expression vector and employed in that expression vector to transform an appropriate host according to techniques well established in the art. The polypeptides produced on expression of the DNA sequences of this invention can be isolated from the fermentation of cell cultures and purified in a variety of ways according to well established techniques in the art. One of skill in the art is capable of selecting the most appropriate isolation and purification techniques.

More particularly, the present invention provides host cells, expression methods and systems for the production of phytate hydrolyzing enzymes derived from microorganisms, such as Penicillium species. Once nucleic acid encoding a phytate hydrolyzing enzyme of the present invention is obtained, recombinant host cells containing the nucleic acid may be constructed using techniques well known in the art. Molecular biology techniques are disclosed in Sambrook et al., Molecular Biology Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition (1989) Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989).

In one embodiment, nucleic acid encoding phytate hydrolyzing enzymes derived from Penicillium species and having at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% and at least 95% identity to the nucleic acid of any one of FIGS. 1A-1C or a functional derivative thereof, or which is capable of hybridizing under conditions of intermediate to high stringency to the nucleic acid of any one of FIGS. 1A-1C, or which is complementary to the nucleic acid of any one of FIGS. 1A-1C is obtained and transformed into a host cell using appropriate vectors.

The nucleic acid encoding phytate hydrolyzing enzymes can include a leader sequence capable of providing for the secretion of the encoded phytase. Depending on whether the phytase is to be expressed intracellularly or is secreted, a DNA sequence or expression vector of the invention can be engineered such that the mature form of the phytase is expressed with or without a natural phytase signal sequence or a signal sequence which functions in a fungus (e.g., Aspergillus niger), other prokaryotes or eukaryotes. Expression can also be achieved by either removing or partially removing said signal sequence.

A variety of vectors and transformation and expression cassettes suitable for the cloning, transformation and expression in fungus, yeast, bacteria, insect and plant cells are known by those of skill in the art. Typically, the vector or cassette contains sequences directing transcription and translation of the nucleic acid, a selectable marker, and sequences allowing autonomous replication or chromosomal integration. Suitable vectors comprise a region 5′ of the gene which harbors transcriptional initiation controls and a region 3′ of the DNA fragment which controls transcriptional termination. These control regions may be derived from genes homologous or heterologous to the host as long as the control region selected is able to function in the host cell.

Initiation control regions or promoters, which are useful to drive expression of the phytate hydrolyzing enzymes in a host cell are known to those skilled in the art. Nucleic acid encoding the phytate hydrolyzing enzyme is linked operably through initiation codons to selected expression control regions for effective expression of such enzyme. Once suitable cassettes are constructed, they are used to transform the host cell.

In cases where plant expression vectors are used, the expression of a sequence encoding phytase may be driven by any of a number of promoters. For example, viral promoters such as the 35S and 19S promoters of CaMV (Brisson et al (1984) Nature 310:511-514) may be used alone or in combination with the omega leader sequence from TMV (Takamatsu et al (1987) EMBO J 6:307-311). Alternatively, plant promoters such as the small subunit of RUBISCO (Coruzzi et al (1984) EMBO J 3:1671-1680; Broglie et al (1984) Science 224:838-843); or heat shock promoters (Winter J and Sinibaldi R M (1991) Results Probl Cell Differ 17:85-105) may be used. These constructs can be introduced into plant cells by direct DNA transformation or pathogen-mediated transfection. For reviews of such techniques, see Hobbs S or Murry L E (1992) in McGraw Hill Yearbook of Science and Technology, McGraw Hill, New York, N.Y., pp 191-196; or Weissbach and Weissbach (1988) Methods for Plant Molecular Biology, Academic Press, New York, N.Y., pp 421-463.

General transformation procedures are taught in Current Protocols In Molecular Biology (vol. 1, edited by Ausubel et al., John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1987, Chapter 9) and include calcium phosphate methods, transformation using PEG and electroporation. For Aspergillus and Trichoderma, PEG and Calcium mediated protoplast transformation can be used (Finkelstein, DB 1992 Transformation. In Biotechnology of Filamentous Fungi. Technology and Products (eds by Finkelstein & Bill) 113-156. Electroporation of protoplast is disclosed in Finkelestein, D B 1992 Transformation. In Biotechnology of Filamentous Fungi. Technology and Products (eds by Finkelstein & Bill) 113-156. Microprojection bombardment on conidia is described in Fungaro et al. (1995) Transformation of Aspergillus nidulans by microprojection bombardment on intact conidia, FEMS Microbiology Letters 125 293-298. Agrobacterium mediated transformation is disclosed in Groot et al. (1998) Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of filamentous fungi, Nature Biotechnology 16 839-842. For transformation of Saccharomyces, lithium acetate mediated transformation and PEG and calcium mediated protoplast transformation as well as electroporation techniques are known by those of skill in the art.

Host cells which contain the coding sequence for a phytate hydrolyzing enzyme of the present invention and express the protein may be identified by a variety of procedures known to those of skill in the art. These procedures include, but are not limited to, DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridization and protein bioassay or immunoassay techniques which include membrane-based, solution-based, or chip-based technologies for the detection and/or quantification of the nucleic acid or protein.

It should also be noted that the invention contemplates in vitro expression of the phytase enzymes described herein.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a polynucleotide sequence encoding a phytate hydrolyzing enzyme derived from Penicillium hordei (ATCC No. 22053) is isolated and expressed in Aspergillus niger, and in another embodiment is expressed in Aspergillus nidulans. The expressed phytase can then be recovered, e.g., as described next.

The phytase of the invention can be recovered from culture medium or from host cell lysates. If membrane-bound, it can be released from the membrane using a suitable detergent solution (e.g. Triton-X 100) or by enzymatic cleavage. Cells employed in expression of phytase can be disrupted by various physical or chemical means, such as freeze-thaw cycling, sonication, mechanical disruption, or cell lysing agents. It may be desired to purify the phytase from recombinant cell proteins or polypeptides. The following procedures are exemplary of suitable purification procedures: by fractionation on an ion-exchange column; ethanol precipitation; reverse phase HPLC; chromatography on silica or on a cation-exchange resin such as DEAE; chromatofocusing; SDS-PAGE; ammonium sulfate precipitation; gel filtration using, for example, Sephadex G-75; protein A Sepharose columns to remove contaminants; and metal chelating columns to bind epitope-tagged forms of the phytase. Various methods of protein purification may be employed and such methods are known in the art and described for example in Deutscher, Methods in Enzymology, 182 (1990); Scopes, Protein Purification: Principles and Practice, Springer-Verlag, New York (1982). The purification step(s) selected will depend, for example, on the nature of the production process used and the particular form of phytase produced.

V. Applications of Phytate Hydrolyzing Enzymes

The phytase and derivatives thereof as taught herein can be used in a variety of applications where it is desirable to separate phosphorous from phytate. Several exemplary applications are set forth below.

For example, the invention provides for the use of bacterial cells or spores capable of producing phytase according to the invention as a probiotic or direct fed microbial product. Preferred embodiments for said uses are phytase-producing Aspergillus sp. of the invention.

In addition, the invention contemplates the use of phytase as described herein in food or animal feed.

The present invention provides food or animal feed including phytase as described herein. Preferably, said food or animal feed comprises phytase as an additive which is active in the digestive tract, preferably the crop and/or small intestine, of livestock, such as poultry and swine, and aquatic farm animals including fish and shrimp. Said additive is also preferably active in food or feed processing.

The invention additionally provides food or animal feed comprising cells or spores capable of expressing phytase as described herein.

Still further, the present invention contemplates a method for the production of a food or animal feed, characterised in that phytase according to the invention is mixed with said food or animal feed. Said phytase is added as a dry product before processing or as a liquid before or after processing. According to one embodiment, wherein a dry powder is used, the enzyme is diluted as a liquid onto a dry carrier such as milled grain.

The present invention also provides a method for the production of a food or animal feed, characterised in that cells and/or spores capable of expressing phytase according to the inveniton are added to said food or animal feed.

Further, the present invention provides for the use of the phytase described herein with or without accessory phosphatases in the production of inositol and inorganic phosphate, and phytate intermediates.

Also provided is a method for the reduction of levels of phosphorous in animal manure, characterised in that an animal is fed an animal feed according to the invention in an amount effective in converting phytate contained in said animal feed.

The phytase and phytate-derived intermediates of the invention can also be used in grain wet milling, in cleaning and personal care products, and in textile processing.

The following examples are offered for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. All patent and literature references cited in the present specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Evidence of Phytate Hydrolysing Activity in Liquid Culture

P. piceum (ATCC No. 10519) and P. hordei (ATCC No. 22053) were grown in defined media containing various concentrations of inorganic phosphate, and growth characteristics and phytase production were assayed and compared. Spore suspensions were used (2×10⁶ spores/ml final con) to inoculate a minimal media (Vogels) where the phosphate concentration was altered to see how this would affect growth and phytase production. Cultures were grown in 50 ml of medium in shake flask culture at 25° C. (P. hordei) or 30° C. (P. piceum). Cultures were harvested at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. Cultures supernatants were assayed for phytase activity using the method of Fiske and SubbaRow. Growth was determined by dry weight (P. hordei) or OD readings (P. piceum).

1A. Effect of Different Media Conditions on Growth and Morphology

The series of Penicillium growth curves that were produced, such as the P. piceum growth curve of FIG. 3 and the P. hordei growth curve of FIG. 4, looked at the effect of available P in the medium on growth and phytase production. With particular regard to P. piceum, when the P level was reduced to 0.57 mM (1/64 P from growth curve [FIG. 3]), morphological changes in the growth of the fungus were observed which are associated with a stressed condition (e.g., mycelial fragmentation, pelleting, heterogeneous growth and an overall appearance of a pale yellow color). This physiological strain was related to the appearance of phytase activity at a point in the growth curve approaching late exponential phase (48 hours; See Table 1, below). Morphological evidence of phytic acid utilisation was observed in identical cultures of low P (0.57 mM) supplemented after 24 hours growth with 1 mM phytate as a phosphorus source. The morphological changes seen without added phytate were not apparent, indeed the supplemented samples resembled cultures in media of higher P which were not limiting. This clearly indicates that a phytic acid specific hydrolysing activity was being produced so that P could be supplied to the growing fungus. However, when 5 mM phytate was supplemented the cultures did not grow, suggesting that this level of phytate in the medium chelates essential minerals resulting in a medium that cannot support fungal growth and nutrition.

In an exemplary P. hordei study, the fungus was grown in media containing

-   -   High phosphate (1.14 mM)     -   Low phosphate (0.57 mM)     -   Low phosphate plus 1 mM supplemented phytate.

Growth was monitored over 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours by dry weight measurements, and the morphological characteristics in response to the different media conditions was also observed. The major observations and conclusions are as follows:

-   -   1. Expected good growth in high phosphate, consistent fungal         morphology indicative of healthy culture.     -   2. Growth was markedly poorer in low phosphate condition, fungal         morphology was heterogenous with evidence of clumping and         mycelial fragmentation. Culture had a sickly yellow appearance.     -   3. Similar cultures as for (2) when supplemented with phytate         (the substrate) no longer looked under the same physiological         stress. Biomass growth was similar to condition (1) and the         fungal morphology was the same as for the high phosphate         condition.     -   4. Growth curves and photographic evidence of these cultures         back these observations up, and the overall major conclusion is         that we are seeing a phytate hydrolysing activity in         condition (3) which allows the fungus to access phosphate from         phytate, and so circumvent the phosphate starvation stresses         that the culture is otherwise experiencing.         1B. Phytase Activity in Culture Supernatants

Table 1, below, shows phytase activity in the culture supernatants of P. piceum. Also shown in Table 1, is data for cultures of A. niger, grown under the same conditions in the Vogels 1/64 P (0.57 mM) medium as a control for phytase activity. As can be seen, the A. niger cultures showed similar levels to the P. piceum cultures. TABLE 1 Phytase activity in culture supernatants of fungi growing on media with variable levels of inorganic P. Phytase activity Fungal species Medium type P content (mM) (μmolesPmin⁻¹ml⁻¹) P. piceum ½× MEB 8-12 0± P. piceum Vogels (full P) 37.0 0± P. piceum Vogels (¼ P) 9.20 0± P. piceum* Vogels ( 1/64 P) 0.57 0.121 ± 0.077 P. piceum** Vogels ( 1/64 P) 0.57 0.028 ± 0.027 A. niger Vogels ( 1/64 P) 0.57 0.036 ± 0.027 These samples compare activities that were detected at 48 hours post inoculation. Phytase activity is expressed as the number of μmoles P released per minute per ml culture supernatant. Sample activities are calculated from triplicate culture flasks where supernatants were assayed for phytase in duplicate. Activities are shown as mean ± SD, n = 6. P. piceum* and P. piceum** refer to data from two separate time course experiments.

Thus, a clear physiological stress was associated with cultures where phosphate was limited, which adversely affected growth, and was linked to the appearance of phytase activity.

1C. Concentration of Culture Supernatants

Additional evidence of phytase activity can be expected from concentrated supernatant (concentrated protein). For example, concentrated protein samples can be obtained from:

-   -   1. Cultures of Penicillium from conditions of stress and low         phosphate (where phytase is expected to be expressed),     -   2. Cultures of Penicillium of high phosphate and no stress,         where phytase is not expected to be produced, and     -   3. Cultures supplemented with low phosphate and supplemental         phytate.

Silverstained SDS-PAGE gels of these concentrated protein samples are expected to show a protein profile demonstrating the appearance of a protein band (putative phytase band) in concentrated protein from condition 1 (above) which is not present in condition 2. A similar appearance of this band is also expected in condition 3, albeit at a lower level. Based on the amino acid sequence of the P.hordei phytase, and on the fact that it appears to be an extracelleular enzyme, the expected size of the protein is 50 kDa approximately. It should be noted, however, that glycosylation modification on the extracellular enzyme may increase the MW to 60-90 kDa.

Example 2 PCR Amplification of Phytase Gene Fragments

2A. Degenerate Primer Design

Based on alignments of published phytase amino acid sequences, a range of degenerate primers were designed against conserved structural and catalytic regions. Such regions included those that were highly conserved among the phytases, as well as those known to be important for enzyme structure and function.

In one study, amino acid sequences for 4 published phytases were aligned. The sequences were of phytases from: (i) A. niger (DEFINITION: A. niger phyA gene.; ACCESSION: Z16414; van Hartingsveldt, W., et al, 1992); (ii) A. fumigatus (DEFINITION: Aspergillus fumigatus phytase gene, complete cds.; ACCESSION: U59804; Pasamontes, L., et al, 1997); (iii) A. terreus (DEFINITION: Aspergillus terreus 9A1 phytase gene, complete cds.; ACCESSION: U59805; Mitchell, D. B., et al, 1997); and (iv) Myceliophtora thermophilus (DEFINITION: Myceliophthora thermophila phytase gene, complete cds.; ACCESSION: U59806; Mitchell, D. B., et al, 1997). It should be noted that all of these sequences are publicly available from GENbank, and each is incorporated herein by reference.

Five particular regions were chosen to meet the criteria above, and a range of forward and reverse primers designed from the amino acid sequences. The specific amino acid regions used to design the primers are highlighted in black border in the protein sequence alignment of FIG. 5. Using the genetic code for codon usage, degenerate nucleotide PCR primers were synthesised by MWG-Biotech Ltd.

In another study, a pair of primers denoted as CS1 and CS2 were designed from the published amino acid sequence for phyA and phyB phytases from A. niger alone. These primers were designed as follows:

-   -   Primer CS1: Forward (5′-3′) primer from the region RHGARYPT (See         FIG. 5, a.a. 110-120 approx) which is the phosphate binding         domain of a phyA phytase and essential for catalytic activity.     -   Primer CS2: Reverse primer from the region FT(H/Q)DEW(I/V) (See         FIG. 5, a.a. 335-345 approx) which was a central phytase region         which seemed to be conserved relatively well.

The primer sequences are as follows: CS1 5′ CGI CAT/C GGI GCI CGI TAT/C CC 3′ CS2 3′ AAA/G TGI GTI CTA/G CTT/C ACC T/CAI 5′ CS2 5′ AC/TC CAC/T TCG/A TCI TGI GTG/A AA 3′ As all primers were synthesised in the 5′-3′ direction, the reverse primer was made as outlined in bold for CS2. The standard genetic code was used to change from amino acid to triplet codon, and standard IUB code for mixed base sites was used (e.g. to designate I for A/C/T/G).

Additional details concerning the design of primers CS1 and CS2 will now be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows the published amino acid sequence for phyA and phyB phytases from A. niger from which primers CS1 and CS2 were designed. Particularly, the sequences aligned are from 1; Piddington et al, 1993 (Phy a and Phy b from A. niger var. awamon), 2; van Hartingsveldt et al., 1993 (Phy a from A. niger), 3: Erlich et al., 1993 (Phy B from A. niger). The alignment of FIG. 1 was performed using CLUSTAL V (Higgins D. G., et al, 1992) from the PHYLIP version 3.5 package. Conserved sequences used to design degenerate primers CS1, CS2 are shown.

As can be seen from the alignment of FIG. 6, the phosphate-binding domain of PhyA and PhyB is well conserved with only a single amino acid difference between PhyA (RHGARYP; van Hartingsveldt et al., 1993) and PhyB (RHGERYP; Piddington et al., 1993). Degenerate primer CS1 was designed complementary to this region in the phyA version of the sequence only, i.e. using RHGARYPT as the basis for primer design. This was so to bias the primer towards a phyA type phosphate binding domain in this instance. The second conserved region, which served as the baseis for primer CS2, occurs in the middle of the PhyA and PhyB amino acid sequence. This conserved central phytase-specific domain in PhyA (FTHDEWI) corresponds to amino acids 285-291. In PhyB, the amino acid sequence (FTQDEWV) corresponds to amino acids 280-286.

Degenerate primers CS1 and CS2 successfully amplified a 650 bp region from P. hordei by PCR, as described next.

2B. PCR Amplification of Phytase Gene Fragments

Penicillium species genomic DNA was used as a template for PCR amplification of putative phytase gene fragments using combinations of the above-described primers. PCR was carried out using the PCR Ready-to-go Beads from Amersham Pharmacia. Conditions were determined by individual experiments, but typically thirty cycles were run in a Techne thermal cycler. Successful amplification was verified by electrophoresis of the PCR reaction on a 1% agarose gel. A PCR product that was amplified from P. hordei by the primers CS1 and CS2 and was of the correct expected size (650 bp) was purified by gel extraction using the Qiaquick Spin Gel Extraction kit from Qiagen. The purified PCR product was ligated into the commercial pGEM-T Easy vector System (Promega Corporation) to facilitate cloning. Ligation reactions were incubated at 4° C. overnight in a total volume of 10 μl containing 0.1 volumes of 10×ligase buffer and 1 μl (1 U.μl⁻¹) of T4 DNA ligase. Typically insert DNA was used in the reaction in a 1-4:1 molar ratio of insert to vector DNA. A 100 μl aliquot of CaCl₂ competent E. coli XL-1 Blue cells were removed from −80° C. storage and thawed on ice for transformation. 3 μl of ligation mix was added to the cells and the mixture incubated on ice for 20 min. The cells were then heat shocked at 42° C. for 1 min. and returned to ice for 5 min. The transformation mixture was added to 0.9 mL of L-broth, and the cells incubated with shaking and without selection to allow expression of the ampicillin resistance gene product before selection is applied (37° C., 1 h). Aliquots of 200, 300 and 400 μl of this culture were then spread directly on selective agar plates. Plates were incubated at 37° C. overnight. Colonies containing recombinant plasmids were visualised using blue/white selection. For rapid screening of recombinant transformants, plasmid DNA was prepared from cultures of putative positive (white) colonies. DNA was isolated by the method of Birnboim and Doly following the protocol in Sambrook et al (1989). The presence of the correct insert (650 bp) in the recombinant plasmid was confirmed by restriction analysis. DNA was digested with Not1-pPst1 restriction enzymes overnight at 37° C., and digest products visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis. A number of clones contained the correct sized insert and were selected for manual sequencing to see if the insert was a phytase gene fragment. Inserts were sequenced using the dideoxy chain termination method of Sanger et al (1977) with a modified form of T7 DNA polymerase (Sequenase version 2.0). The reactions were carried out using reagents supplied in the Sequenase version 2.0 kit (Amersham Life Science—United States Biochemical Corporation), following the manufacturer's protocol. Partial sequence from the ends of two clones (designated 3D and 3G) indicated that a phytase gene fragment had been cloned. Plasmid DNA from both of these clones were sent off to MWG-Biotech Ltd. for full sequencing of the double-stranded inserts.

2C. Sequence Analysis

The sequences were analysed by BLAST and protein translation sequence tools. BLAST comparison at the nucleotide level showed various levels of homology to published phyA phytase sequences. Initially, nucleotide sequences were submitted to BLAST (Basic BLAST version 2.0) by accessing the BLAST database on the world wide web. The web site used was at http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/BLAST. The program chosen was blastn, and the database chosen was nr. Standard/default parameter values were employed. Sequence data for putative P. hordei gene fragments were entered as sequence in FASTA format and the query submitted to BLAST to compare the sequences of the present invention to those already in the database. The results returned for the 650 bp fragment and the EcoRI gene fragment from the first library screen, discussed below, showed a high number of hits for phytase genes from A. niger, E. nidulans, A. fumigatus and T. thermophilus.

The sequences were then subjected to a DNA-to-protein translation tool called Protein machine. This tool is also available on the web at http://medkem.gu.se/edu/translat.html. Another suitable translation tool is known as Translation Machine, available on the web at http://www2.ebi.ac.uk/translate/. The DNA sequences of putative phytase gene fragments from P. hordei were inserted into the analysis block, and the standard genetic code was used as the basis for the translation. Translations were carried out in all three frames and on forward and reverse strands. The translated amino acid sequence was delivered on the screen by the analysis tool as amino acid sequence in one letter code. When translated to amino acid sequence, the clones were shown to contain 212 amino acids (636 bp was actual size of gene fragment) with no stop codons. Analysis of the amino acid sequence showed that the fragment contained both correct ends (as used to design primers CS1 and CS2), contained the essential P binding motif (RHGARYP) and three cysteines which are also present in published phyA phytase sequences. It was concluded that the 636 bp fragment cloned was a phyA phytase gene fragment from P. hordei.

Sequence alignments and analysis of those alignments was carried out at the nucleotide and amino acid level using the ALIGN program (Alignment Editor Version 4/97; Dominick Hepperle, Fontanestr. 9c, D016775, Neuglobsow, Germany). In performing the analysis, subject sequences were pasted in, and the PHYLIP Interleaved format employed. The homology analysis was carried out using the “Analyse” section of the program, and specifically the option entitled “Distance Analysis.” This calculates % homologies and the number of different sites between species, using a minimum of two amino acid sequences (i.e., two “species”). Minimal and maximal homologies are calculated as %. The basis for homology analysis is done as % identity, on the calculation of “number of identical amino acids (or bases) divided by the total number of amino acids (or bases) multiplied by 100” to give a percentage value. P. hordei amino acid sequences were placed into the ALIGN program along with published phytase sequences and a manual alignment at the amino acid level carried out. Exemplary results are shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the sequence denoted as “P. hordei3D” (SEQ ID NO:______) represents the deduced translation for the PCR product obtained using degenerate primers CS1 and CS2.

Example 3 Southern Analysis for Library Production

Genomic DNA from P. hordei, P. piceum and A. niger were digested with a range of restriction enzymes overnight at 37° C. Successfully digested DNA was run out on a 1% agarose gel in preparation for transfer to the nylon membrane. After completion of electrophoresis, the agarose gel was soaked for 10 min. in 0.2M HCl to depurinate the DNA and then rinsed briefly in ddH₂O. The DNA was transferred to the Hybond™-N+ membrane (Amersham International PLC) by alkali capillary blotting. The blot was set up so that the nylon filter was sandwiched between the gel and a stack of absorbent paper towels. A wick of Whatman 3MM paper (Schleicher and Schuell, Dassel, Germany) was prepared on a glass plate over a reservoir of transfer buffer (0.4M NaOH). The gel was inverted on the wick, taking care to avoid the formation of air bubbles, and surrounded by strips of Nescofilm to prevent the blotting action of the paper towels from by-passing the gel at its edges. The gel was covered with an equal sized piece of Hybond™-N+ membrane which had been cut in the corner to match the gel and pre-wetted in 3×SSC. Next, 3-5 pieces of 3MM paper were placed on top of the filter and the blot completed by adding a 10 cm stack of blotting paper followed by a 0.5 kg weight. The blot was left for 8-24 h to transfer the DNA. The membrane was then washed briefly in 2×SSC at RT and baked in a vacuum oven at 80° C. to fix the DNA to the membrane. The 636 bp fragment from P. hordei was used to probe the Southern blot. It was firstly labelled with ³²P isotope by use of the High Prime DNA Labelling Kit (Boehringer Mannheim). Denatured fragment was added into a random primed labelling reaction which incorporates radio-labelled adenine. The Southern blot was prehybridised for 1 hour at 42° C. in 12 mL of Easy-Hyb buffer (Boehringer Mannheim) in a hybridisation tube. Radiolabelled probe was denatured and added to 5mL of Easy-Hyb hybridisation buffer and left to hybridise overnight at 42° C. Following hybridisation, the blot was washed by incubation in 40 mL 3×SSC, 0.1% SDS for 15 min at 42° C. This low stringency wash was repeated with fresh wash solution. After stringency washing, the lot was rinsed in 3×SSC, sealed in clear plastic and exposed to x-ray film. This was left for 2 hours and the film developed.

As shown in FIG. 8, strong hybridising bands were observed for P. hordei digests. In particular, FIG. 8 illustrates a Southern blot gel showing hybridization between a probe comprising the PCR product obtained using degenerate primers CS1 and CS2 and various digests of fungal genomic DNA; with: Lane 1—Size marker; Lane 2—Aspergillus niger—EcoRI; Lane 3—Penicillium piceum—EcoRI; Lane 4—Penicillium hordei—EcoRI; Lane 5—Penicillium hordei—BamHI; Lane 6—Penicillium hordei—SalI; Lane 7—Penicilium hordei—KpnI; and, Lane 8—Penicillium hordei—SacI. These results indicate that the 636 bp fragment can be used as a probe for library screening.

Example 4 Isolation of a Polynucleotide Sequence from the Genome of P. hordei Encoding a Phytase

4A. P. hordei Genomic Library Generation and Screening

Following the Southern hybridisation analysis, it was decided to make a partial genomic library of P. hordei in order to try and clone the full-length phytase gene. A size restricted plasmid library targeting the 4.4 Kb EcoRI fragment (as estimated from Southern analysis) was generated. EcoRI digested P. hordei genomic DNA was run out on a 1.25% agarose gel. The digested fragments at approximately 4.4 Kb were extracted from the gel, and purified by Glass-Max (Gibco-BRL, Scotland). Purified genomic fragments were used in a shotgun ligation reaction with EcoRI linearised pSK II Bluescript vector (Stratagene). The vector was firstly dephosphorylated before ligation, and the ligation reaction was carried out at 14° C. overnight. The library was produced by transformation of E. coli XL-10 Gold ultracompetent cells (Stratagene). 100 μl aliquots cells were removed from −80° C. storage and thawed on ice for transformation. 4 μL of β-mercaptoethanol was added to the cells on ice. 3 μl of ligation mix was added to the mixture and the mixture incubated on ice for 20 min. The cells were then heat shocked at 42° C. for 30 sec and returned to ice for 2 min. The transformation mixture was added to 0.9 mL of NZY-broth, and the cells incubated with shaking and without selection to allow expression of the ampicillin resistance gene. The transformed cells were plated out on blue/white selection LB-agar plates, and left to incubate overnight at 37° C. A total of 728 colonies were seen on the plates, 450 of which were white. The colonies were lifted onto nitrocellulose filters by the method of Maniatis (10% SDS—lysis, 3 min; 1.5M NaOH—denaturation, 5 min; 1.5M TricHCl—neutralisation, 5 min; 3×SSC—rinse, 5 min). The filters were then baked for 2 hours at 80° C. under vacuum to fix the DNA. The library was screened with ³²P radiolabelled 636 bp probe in the same manner as for Southern hybridisation. After hybridisation the filters were washed twice in 3×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 42° C., 15 min. The filters were then rinsed in 3×SSC, sealed in plastic and exposed to X-ray film overnight at −80° C. Five positive hybridising spots were seen on the film. These were aligned to the agar plates containing the transformants. The hybridising spots matched up to more than one single colony on the agar plates. All colonies in the radius of the hybridising spot were picked up using sterile loops and used to inoculate 2 mL of Luria broth. The cultures were grown at 37° C. for 2 hours. Dilutions of the cultures were made from 10⁻¹ to 10⁻⁵ and 100 μl of each sample was plated out on LB-amp agar plates and incubated overnight at 37° C. The plates which had between 10 and 150 colonies on them were chosen to go forward for a secondary screen. Colony lifts were done as before, and filters were processed using the same procedures. Fresh ³²P labelled probe was prepared, and the filters screened in the same way as outlined previously. Stringency washes were carried out using 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 42° C. for 15 min. Filters were then rinsed in 2×SSC, sealed in plastic and exposed to X-ray film for 2 hours. The developed film showed a very high number of strong hybridising spots, consistent with amplification of the positive colonies from the primary screen. The film was then aligned to the plates, and the spots then coordinated to see if they corresponded to single isolated colonies. The best 12 positives that matched up to single colonies were picked and used to inoculate Luria broth for plasmid DNA preparations. Plasmid DNA was purified by Qiaspin Mini-Prep kit (Qiagen) and restriction analysis carried out to estimate the size of the inserts. All twelve clones gave the same restriction profile which suggested an insert size between 3-4 Kb. Six of the clones were sent away to MWG-Biotech Ltd. for partial sequencing to determine if they were the correct gene/gene fragment. Sequence analysis showed that three of the clones contained a gene fragment from a phyA phytase, but only at one end. These three clones were then sent off to get full sequencing done on the inserts.

Sequence analysis on the full sequence for these clones indicated that all three clones were the same thing, and that they encoded 355 amino acids corresponding to approx. 80% of the phyA phytase gene (see FIG. 7, line 1, denoted “P hordei”). It was apparent that there was an internal EcoRI site in the gene at a position approximately 300-400 bp downstream of the start of the gene.

4B. Percentage Identity Comparison Between Fungal Phytases

The deduced polypeptide product of the cloned phytase gene fragment was used for homology analysis with the published phytases. The analysis showed identities of from about 42-56% (See Table 2, below) and, together with analysis of the translated sequence, provided evidence that the gene fragment cloned was a phyA phytase. TABLE 2 Percentage Identity Comparison Between Fungal Phytases (ALIGN editor) P. A. A. A. M. Species hordei niger fumigatus terreus thermophilus P. hordei 55.6 56.2 52.5 42.4 A. niger 67.4 62.1 44.9 A. fumigatus 61.7 47.6 A. terreus 43.7 M. thermophilus Note: Comparison based upon approx. 80% of the deduced P. hordei phytase amino acid sequence (i.e., N-terminal portion [˜140 a.a.] missing). 4C. Generation and Screening of SalI-Based Size-Restricted Genomic Library to Isolate Remainder of Phytase Gene

In order to isolate the estimated remaining 20% of the P. hordei phytase gene, it was 10 decided to use a second restriction enzyme to generate a second partial genomic library to isolate the 5′ end of the gene, and attempt to then subclone the two fragments together. The restriction endonuclease recognition sites present within the cloned phytase sequence were identified using Webcutter. Of particular interest were sites for enzymes that were used in the Southern analysis illustrated in FIG. 8. It was found that these enzymes (KpnI, SacI, BamHI and SalI) all cut within the phytase sequence at 48 bp, 75 bp, 486 bp and 660 bp respectively from the 5′ end of the cloned fragment. Southern analysis of digests of P. hordei genomic DNA (FIG. 8) shows that the BamHI fragment is very large (approximately 8 Kb), and would be difficult to clone in a plasmid-based library. The degree of hybridisation with the KpnI band is not strong enough for a library screen, and the presence of two bands on the SacI lane is likely to complicate the screening process. It was decided to generate a SalI-based size-restricted library in the same manner as before, to isolate the 1.8 Kb SalI band. With the presence of one known SalI site at a position approximately 120 bp downstream of the end of the probe sequence, it is likely that there is another SalI site at a position upstream of the start of the phytase gene. The library was made as before in pBluecript SKII, and screened using the same 636 bp probe. A selection of positive hybridising colonies were chosen and aligned to colonies on the plates. All 12 matched up to single isolated colonies, and were picked for plasmid DNA preparations. Restriction analysis showed that only three clones had inserts, all of which were approximately 1.8 Kb. These two clones (CS112, CS114) were then sent away to MWG-Biotech for full sequencing. Deduced amino acid sequence showed that the clones contained sequence that had motifs belonging to phyA phytase, but CS112 had a high number of sequencing errors. Analysis of clone CS114 showed there was a 450 bp overlap between the genomic fragments of the phytase gene. A proposed start codon was identified, as well as a 5′ intron, and upstream regulatory elements were also identified on CS114.

4D. Amplification of Contiguous Phytase Gene for Heterologous Expression

A composite phytase sequence was produced from the two genomic clones CS114 and CS101 (FIG. 9), and used to design a number of upstream and downstream primers which could be used to amplify a contiguous phytase gene sequence. PCR amplification was also designed to facilitate cloning and expression of the complete phytase gene in to the heterologous expression vector pGAPT-PG, a 5.1 Kb construct provided by Genencor International, Inc. (See FIG. 11). There are two restriction enzyme sites (EcoRV and AgeI) within the multiple cloning site of pGAPT-PG which are not present within the phytase gene sequence. A number of 5′ and 3′ flanking primers were designed using the phytase gene sequence, and modified to include the restriction enzyme recognition sites for these enzymes (Table 3). TABLE 3 Sequences of phytase-specific primers as de- signed from composite phyA gene sequence from clones CS101 and CS114 Primer Region Sequence CS201 5′ upstream flanking 5′ CGG C GA TAT C AG TAT (F) region including CCC TGC GGT C 3′ EcoRV site CS202 5′ upstream flanking 5′ CGG C GA TAT C CC GGT (F) region including GAC GTC GGG T 3′ EcoRV site CS203 3′ downstream flank- 5′ CGG C AC CGG T GG AAG (R) ing region including AGG ACC AAC C 3′ AgeI site CS204 3′ downstream flank- 5′ CGG C AC CGG T GC ATT (R) ing region including AAT ATT GGC C 3′ AgeI site F indicates a forward primer (5′→3′) on the positive strand; R indicates a reverse primer on the negative strand. The restriction enzyme recognition sites that are designed into the primer sequences to facilitate cloning into the expression vector pGAPT-PG are underlined and highlighted in bold. The upstream and downstream flanking regions used to design the primers were arbitrarily chosen at aproximately 100 bp upstream from the ATG (start) codon and downstream from the TAG (stop) codon respectively. The gene sequence used was also chosen to contain as equal of bases as possible.

Amplification of the phytase gene by PCR was attempted using genomic DNA from the P. hordei, and combinations of these primers. PCR should amplify a region of approximately 1.7 Kb, corresponding to the full-length phytase gene. FIG. 12 shows the results of PCR performed using primers CS201 or CS202 and CS203. A band of the correct size can be seen for the combination CS201-CS203, but the presence of multiple bands of lower molecular weight can also be seen. No amplification using CS202-CS203 can be seen for these conditions, although very faint bands at approximately 1.7 Kb could be seen at annealing temperature of 50° C. (not shown). A strong band was produced for CS201/CS202 and CS204 at approximately 700 bp (not shown). The desired product seen in FIG. 12 produced by amplification with the primers CS201-CS203, was cloned into the vector pTT and several clones which contained the correct size of insert were selected for sequencing (CS158 and CS167).

FIG. 10 illustrates the 5′/N-terminal nucleic acid sequence and 3′/C-terminal sequence of clone CS158. Preliminary deduced amino acid sequence for phytase is shown in bold.

The sequence of clone CS167 was analysed and was not recognised as phytase. Analysis of clone CS158 revealed some interesting features. The deduced amino acid sequence for CS158 from the 3′ end of the clone demonstrated high homology with CS101 phytase. However, the sequence generated from the 5′ end differed substantially from CS114. This was particularly so for sequence that ran upstream from the phosphate binding domain motif (RHGARY). It was noticed that the sequence from CS158 at the 5′ end was more similar to published phytase sequences, and contained a number of key structural motifs and conserved amino acids which were not present in the N-terminal CS114 amino acid sequence. It was concluded that clones CS101 and CS114 originated from 2 different genes, and that CS158 was the proper full-length phytase.

There were a number of sequencing errors apparent in the CS158 sequence. This is probably due to the fact the Taq polymerase was used in the amplification of the 1.7 Kb band shown in FIG. 12 Two new 5′ primers were designed from the new sequence to re-amplify the phytase gene for expression. Two regions upstream of the putative start codons in the new phytase sequence from CS158 were selected, and modified to include EcoRV recognition sites to facilitate cloning into pGAPT-PG (Table 4). TABLE 4 Sequences of phytase-specific primers as designed from the Taq polymerase amplified phyA gene sequence from clone CS158 Primer Region Sequence CS22 (F) 5′ upstream flanking region 5′ GTT GAT ATC ACT including EcoRV site TGT CGT GAT ACC C 3′ CS23 (F) 5′ upstream flanking region 5′ TCT GAT ATC TCG including EcoRV site ATA TCC TTG CAG 3′ F indicates a forward primer (5′→3′) on the positive strand. The restriction enzyme recognition sites that are designed into the primer sequences to facilitate cloning into the the expression # vector pGAPT-PG are underlined and highlighted in bold. The upstream flanking regions used to design the primers were arbitrarily chosen at approximately 50-70 bp upstream from a proposed ATG (start). The gene sequence used was also chosen to contain as equal balance of bases as possible.

PCR amplification of P. hordei genomic DNA was carried out using a combination of these 5′ primers and the 3′ primers designed from CS101 (Table 3), and using a high fidelity DNA polymerase, Pfu, to minimise error for expression of the phytase gene (FIG. 13). This polymerase was Pfu DNA polymerase (Stratagene) and came as part of the Pfu DNA polymerase kit for PCR. For these reactions, reaction buffer, dNTPs, target DNA and primers were mixed together, and 2.5 units of Pfu polymerase added in a final reaction volume of 50 μL. After amplification, a 5 μL aliquot of the reaction mixture was analysed by gel electrophoresis. The primers designed from the new sequence in combination with primer CS204 produces a single intense product at the expected size (1.7 Kb). This fragment was cloned directly into the vector pCR-Blunt II TOPO (Invitrogen), and a select number of clones analysed to confirm the presence of the correct insert. (Blunt-ended PCR products that were generated by Pfu DNA polymerase were cloned into the Zero Blunt™ TOPO™PCR cloning kit (Invitrogen). This vector contains a MCS site and a kanamycin gene for anitbiotic resisistance, but also allows selecti0on based on disruption of the lethal E. coli gene ccdb, as opposed to blue-white slection. Purified PCR product (50-200 ng) was added to 1 μL of pCR-BluntII-TOPO vector and the reaction volume made up to 5 μL with sterile water. This was mixed gently at left to incubate for 5 min at room temperature. 1 μL of 6×TOPO Cloning Stop Solution was added, and the reaction left on ice or frozen at −20° C. for up to 24 hours for transformation.) The integrity of the engineered EcoRV and AgeI sites was also confirmed by this analysis. A number of clones, CS212 and CS213 were prepared and sequenced. Sequence analysis confirmed the presence of a full-length phyA phytase gene. This gene was taken forward for expression in a heterologous system, and subsequent biochemical characterisation of the enzyme.

4E. Analysis of Sequence of P. hordei Phytase

CS213 represents the full-length phytase sequence from P. hordei. The genomic sequence for this clone can be seen in FIG. 1A. The deduced amino acid sequence for the P. hordei phytase can be seen in FIG. 2.

An alignment was made of the P. hordei sequence and published phytases and homology analysis done, on a % identity basis. The results of this can be see in Table 4 below. TABLE 4 % identity comparison between the phytases M. P. hordei AnigphyA AfumphyA Aterr9A-1 thermo P. hordei — 59.1 58.9 55.4 44.0 Aniger 212/518 — 68.3 63.7 46.3 Afumigatus 213/518 164/518 — 62.2 49.2 Aterr9A-1 231/518 188/518 196/518 — 44.6 M. thermo 290/518 278/518 263/518 287/518 — The numbers in left/bottom region indicate number of different sites between two species. Minimal Homology: 44.0% Maximal Homology: 68.3%

Example 5 Cloning, Expression and Characterisation of the Phytase from P. hordei

It was decided to attempt to over-express the phytase gene in a heterologous host to produce enough protein to carry out characetisation of the enzyme.

5A. Cloning of Phytase Gene into Expression Vector and Transformation In to A. nidulans

The full-length phytase gene that was amplified with a high-fidelity DNA polymerase, was produced using primers that were engineered to contain two restriction enzyme sites (EcoRV, AgeI). These sites were used to facilitate cloning into the expression vector pGAPT-PG (FIG. 11). The phytase clones CS212 and CS213 were digested with these enzymes and produced a single insert fragment of 1.7 Kb. pGAPT-PG was also digested with these enzymes and linearised. The phytase gene fragment was ligated to the expression vector, and a number of transformants produced. A selection of these clones was analysed to confirm the presence of the insert. The phytase clones were then used to transform swollen spores of A. nidulans by electroporation.

The transformation of A. niger strain FGSC A767 and A. nidulans FGSC A1032 by electroporation was adapted from the protocol of O. Sanchez and J. Aguirre developed for A. nidulans. 50 mL of YG medium (0.5% yeast extract, 2% glucose, supplemented with 10 mM uridine and 10 mM uracil) was inoculated at 10⁷ spores/mL with appropriate spore suspension. The cultures were grown for 4 hr at 25° C. at 300 rpm on rotary shaker. Swollen spores were collected by centrifugation at 400 rpm for 5 min at 4° C. Spores were resuspended in 200 mL ice-cold sterile water and centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 5 min at 4° C. The supernatant was poured off and the spores were resuspended in 12.5 ml YED media pH 8.0 (1% yeast extract,1% glucose, 20 mM HEPES) and incubated for 60 min at 30° C. at 100 rpm on rotary shaker. The spores were collected by centrifugation at 400 rpm for 5 min, then resuspended in 1 mL of ice-cold EB buffer (10 mM tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 270 mM sucrose, 1 mM Lithium acetate) at a concentration of 10⁹ conidia.mL⁻¹ and kept on ice. 50 μL of the swollen spore suspension was mixed with 1 to 2 μg DNA in a total volume of 60 μl in sterile eppendorfs and kept on ice for 15 min. The suspension was transferred to 0.2 cm electroporation cuvette. Electroporation was carried out in a BioRad electroporation device (settings 1 kV, 400 W, 25 μF). 1 mL of ice-cold YED was added to the suspension after electroporation, and the combined mix was transfered to a pre-chilled sterile 15 mL Falcon tube and kept on ice for 15 min. This was then incubate at 30° C. for 90 min at 100 rpm on rotary shaker, with the tubes in a horizontal position. The spores were plated out and transformants were observed after 36-48 hours.

Circular plasmid DNA was used in each case, and 15 transformants were produced for the clones originating from CS213, while only 2 were produced from those originating from CS212. A. niger strain FGSC A767 and A. nidulans strain FGSC A1032 were obtained from the Fungal Genetics Stock Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, Kans., USA.

5B. Preliminary Characterisation of A. nidulans Transformants

In total, 10 A. nidulans transformants were selected for further analysis (CS212-1, CS213-1 to 9). Spores from each of these transformants were used to inoculate selective media, and spore supensions of each clone were made. These were used to inoculate liquid cultures of the transformants which were screened for phytase activity. Cultures were grown over 72 hours, and the supernatants collected. Samples were desalted in PD-10 columns, and the protein samples eluted in 0.25 M sodium acetate. Phytase assays were carried out in the standard conditions (pH 5.5, 37oC for 30 min). Two of the clones (CS213-2, CS213-4) demonstrated phytase activity in the culture supernatant. CS213-2 had a phytase activity recorded at 0.12 mmoles Pi released per mim per mL of culture supernatant, while transformant CS213-4 had an activity of 0.08 mmoles Pi released per min per mL. These were taken forward for further analysis.

5C. Time of Maximal Expression of Phytase in Liquid Culture

In order to assess when the level of phytase production was at its highest for subsequent biochemical characterisation, a series of liquid cultures of CS213-2 and CS213-4 were generated over a 2-day to 7-day period. Cultures were inoculated with spore suspension of the appropriate transformants, and harvested at each day over this period. Culture supernatants were processed as standard, and the desalted culture supernatant was assayed under standard phytase conditions. Table 5 summarises the results of these assays. Phytase activity is seen over the entire period, but expression is at its highest at the three day period. TABLE 5 Phytase activity in culture supernatants of transformants over time Time point (days) Activity of CS213-2 Activity of CS213-4 2 35 36 3 76 75 4 36 33 5 35 35 6 34 33 7 33 32 Liquid cultures were harvested at each time point, desalted and eluted in 0.25 mM sodium acetate pH 5.5. Phytase assays were carried out under standard conditions (pH 5.5, 37° C., 30 min) in duplicate. Activity is expressed in phytase units per mL of culture supernatant (μmoles of Pi released min-1 mL-1).

Untransformed A. nidulans was also assayed across these time-points as a control. No phytase activity was detected. Protein samples from selected supernatant samples (day 4 and day 6), both before and after desalting were analysed by SDS-PAGE. Coomasie stained gels showed no bands for any samples used. This inferred that the total level of protein secreted into the medium was low. Silver stained gels also showed no evidence of any protein bands.

5D. Southern Analysis of Transformants

Although there was evidence that the P. hordei phytase gene had been successully cloned into the expression vector, pGAPT-PG, and that expression of an active enzyme had been achieved, molecular evidence was so far lacking. Genomic DNA preparations were made from the transformed A. nidulans CS213-2, and CS213-4, and from the original untransformed host. The DNA was digested with EcoRV, as there is no internal EcoRV site within the P. hordei phytase gene, and Southern hybridisation analysis of the transformants was carried out. The Southern blots were analysed with the 650 bp phytase probe from P. hordei (FIG. 14). Single strong hybridising bands can be seen for both of the transformants CS213-2 and CS213-4, under conditions of medium to high stringency (3×SSC). There is no evidence of any other hybridising bands, as it can be concluded that this shows a single-copy of the phytase gene in the transformed A. nidulans. No hybridising bands can be seen in the untransformed sample, indicating that there is no homology between the P. hordei phytase and any phytases present in the A. nidulans genome.

5E. Biochemical Characterisation of P. hordei Phytase

To prove that the cloned gene represents a specific phytase activity, and to characterise that activity, a range of biochemical analyses were carried out on the over-expressed enzyme. Preliminary characterisation had indicated that the gene was producing a phytic-acid hydrolysing activity. This analysis was extended to examine activity at different pHs, temperatures and against different substrates.

Transformant CS213-4 was taken forward for these analyses, and cultures were harvested at 3-days. With phytic acid as the substrate, the enzyme showed activity between pH 3.0 and 7.0 (FIG. 15). The purified enzyme sample was desalted from culture supernatant, and eluted in 0.025 mM sodium acetate pH 5.0. This was then added to substrate which was made in solutions of the following buffers: pH 3.0:0.4M glycine-HCl, pH 4.0:0.4M Sodium acetate, pH 5.0:0.4M Sodium acetate, pH 6.0:0.4M imidazole-HCl, pH 7.0:0.4M Tris-HCl, pH 8.0:0.4M Tris-HCl pH 9.0:0.4M Tris-HCl. There was a clear optimum at pH 5.0 (240 units per mL of supernatant), with a broad shoulder of activity from 5.0 down to 6.0. When 4-nitrophenyl-phosphate was used as the substrate, there was very little activity seen, indicating a high level of specificity for the phytic-acid substrate. The highest activity against this substrate appears to be at pH 3.0, but even this is 25% of the activity against phytic acid at this pH. The temperature profile of the enzyme was characterised using pH 5.0 buffer, over a range of temperatures, this time only using phytic acid as the substrate (FIG. 16). The P. hordei phytase showed activity from 30° C. to 85° C., but had a clear temperature optimum at 44° C. The enzyme had much higher activity at more ambient temperatures, and only lost 22% of relative activity between 44° C. and 37° C.. As the total level of protein produced was very low, and the assays were performed on total supernatant protein, it was difficult to determine the specific activity of this phytase. The average total protein for these samples was 8 μgmL−1, which would give a projected specific activity of 240000 units per mg of protein.

Preliminary stability studies were also carried out on the phytase. Samples of the 3-day protein were left at −20° C., 4° C., and 37° c overnight, and then assayed under standard conditions. No residual activity was determined. Samples were also exposed to 85° C. for 20 minutes, and 100° C. for 10 minutes to determine the thermostability of the phytase activity. When assayed after exposure to these temperatures at 37° C., pH 5.0, there is a substantial decrease in residual enzyme activity (Table 6). TABLE 6 Stability condition Residual activity (%)  85° C. for 20 min 20% 100° C. for 10 min 21% −20° C. for 24 hours ND  4° C. for 24 hours ND  37° C. for 24 hours ND Residual activity is based on comparison to phytase activity determinations taken from the samples before exposure to each condition (100% activity corresponded to 112 units per mL of culture supernatant). These were standard phytase assay conditions of pH 5.0, 37° C. for 30 min, although samples were only assayed in duplicate. Samples were assayed afterwards in the same assay conditions.

Example 6 Cloning and Analysis of Phytase Gene Fragments from Penicillium piceum

Two primers were designed to amplify phytase gene fragments from this fungal target (Table 7). CS11 was designed from the DNA sequence of cloned phytase genes (A. niger, A. fumigatus, E. nidulans and T. thermophilus), the gene sequence of the cloned phytase from P. hordei, and the sequences of the designed primers CS1 and N1. The first two bases in each codon for this primer are well conserved. The third base was chosen based on the bias shown in the published DNA sequences, and in particular the base in the third position in the sequence of P. hordei. CS12 was designed from the conserved amino acid motif YADF/SHDN from published phytase sequences, and from the deduced amino acid sequence of the P. hordei phytase gene. TABLE 7 Sequences of degenerate primers designed from sequences conserved among fungal phytases Primer Region Sequence CS11 5′ redesigned 5′ CG(T/G/C) CA(C/T) GG(A/G/C) (F) CS1 primer GC(G/T) CG(G/C) TA(C/T) from phytase CC(A/G/T) (A/T)C 3′ motif RHGARYP CS12 3′ reverse 5′ (A/G)TT (A/G)TC (A/G)TG (R) primer de- (A/G/C/T)(G/C)(A/G) (A/G)AA signed from (A/G)TC (A/C/G/T)(A/G)C phytase motif (A/G)TA 3′ YADFTHDN F indicates a forward primer (5′→3′) on the positive strand. R indicates a reverse primer on the negative strand.

PCR was carried out on genomic samples of P. piceum DNA, and amplified a fragment of approximately 800 bp, which was the expected size. This fragment was cloned into pTT-vector, and standard transformation in E. coli XLI-blue cell was done. A selection of transformants were selected, and plasmid DNA isolated. A selection of clones with the correct sized insert were sent off for sequencing to MWG-Biotech. One clone, CS142 contained sequence that had high homology to phytases. The deduced amino acid sequence showed that the fragment cloned (853 bp) was from a phytase gene. The genomic and deduced amino acid sequences from the P. piceum fragment are illustrated in FIG. 17. It had the expected number of Cys residues for that region (3), and contained all the crucial motifs for phytase structure and function, notably:

-   -   RHGARYP     -   3×Cys     -   HD (within the YADFTHDN)         There are a number of other well conserved regions present here         (see alignment FIG. 5) and % identity analysis using this         alignment showed the P. piceum had a approximate 51% identity         to P. hordei phytase. This fragment of P. piceum phytase (283         amino acid) represents approximately 65% of the full phytase.

Southern analysis of the P. piceum fragment against digests of A. niger, P. hordei, P. piceum and P. brevi-compactum under conditions of medium stringency (3×SSC), showed hybridisation against the P. piceum digests only.

Of course, it should be understood that a wide range of changes and modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment described above. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be understood in the context of the following claims, including all equivalents, which are intended to define the scope of this invention. 

1. An isolated polynucleotide derived from a fungal source of the genus Penicillium, which polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding an enzyme having phytase activity.
 2. The polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein said fungal source is selected from the group consisting of Penicillium piceum and Penicillium hordei.
 3. The polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein said enzyme comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity, and optionally at least 80% identity, to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO:
 4. 4. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence (i) having at least 55% identity, and optionally at least 65% identity, to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID. NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3, or (ii) being capable of hybridizing to a probe derived from the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3 under conditions of intermediate to high stringency, or (iii) being complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3.
 5. The polynucleotide of claim 4, wherein said nucleotide sequence has at least 75% identity, and optionally at least 85% identity, to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3.
 6. An isolated polynucleotide encoding an enzyme having phytase activity, wherein the enzyme is derived from a Penicillium source.
 7. The polynucleotide of claim 6, wherein said enzyme includes an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity, and optionally at least 80% identity, to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO:
 4. 8. The polynucleotide of claim 6, wherein said polynucleotide has (i) at least 55% identity, and optionally at least 65% identity, to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3, or (ii) is capable of hybridizing to a probe derived from the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3 under conditions of medium to high stringency, or (iii) is complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3.
 9. An expression construct including a polynucleotide sequence (i) having at least 55% identity, and optionally at least 65% identity, to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3, or (ii) being capable of hybridizing to a probe derived from the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3 under conditions of medium to high stringency, or (iii) being complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3.
 10. A vector including the expression construct of claim
 9. 11. A host cell transformed with the vector of claim
 10. 12. A probe for use in detecting nucleic acid sequences coding for an enzyme having phytase activity derived from a microbial source, comprising: a nucleotide sequence (i) having at least 55% identity, and optionally at least 65% identity, to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3, or (ii) being capable of hybridizing to a polynucleotide including a sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3 under conditions of medium to high stringency, or (iii) being complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3.
 13. The probe of claim 12, wherein said microbial source is a fungal source.
 14. The probe of claim 13, wherein said fungal source is a Penicillium species.
 15. Food or animal feed including an enzyme having phytase activity, wherein said enzyme comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity, and optionally at least 80% identity, to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO:
 4. 16. Food or animal feed including an enzyme having phytase activity, wherein said enzyme is derived from a fungal source selected from the group consisting of Penicillium hordei and Penicillium piceum.
 17. An isolated phytase enzyme wherein said enzyme is obtained from a fungus selected from the group consisting of P. piceum and P. hordei, and has the following physiochemical properties: (1) Molecular weight: between about 45-55 kDa (non-glycosylated); and (2) Specificity: phytate.
 18. A method of producing an enzyme having phytase activity, comprising: (a) providing a host cell transformed with an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide as defined in claim 4; (b) cultivating said transformed host cell under conditions suitable for said host cell to produce said phytase; and (c) recovering said phytase.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said host cell is an Aspergillus species.
 20. A method of separating phosphorous from phytate, comprising: treating said phytate with an enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity, and optionally at least 80% identity, to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO:
 4. 21. A method of separating phosphorous from phytate, comprising: treating said phytate with an enzyme as defined in claim
 17. 22. The polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein said enzyme includes an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity, and optionally at least 80% identity, to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in FIG.
 17. 23. An isolated polynucleotide including a nucleotide sequence (i) having at least 55% identity, and optionally at least 65% identity, to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in FIG. 17, or (ii) being capable of hybridizing to a probe derived from the nucleotide sequence disclosed in FIG. 17 under conditions of intermediate to high stringency, or (iii) being complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in FIG.
 17. 24. The polynucleotide of claim 23, wherein said nucleotide sequence has at least 85% identity to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in FIG.
 17. 25. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 6, wherein the enzyme is derived from Penicillium piceum or Penicillium hordei.
 26. The polynucleotide of claim 25, wherein said enzyme includes an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity, and optionally at least 80% identity, to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in FIG.
 17. 27. The polynucleotide of claim 25, wherein said polynucleotide includes a nucleotide sequence (i) having at least 55% identity, and optionally at least 65% identity, to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in FIG. 17, or (ii) capable of hybridizing to a probe derived from the nucleotide sequence disclosed in FIG. 17 under conditions of medium to high stringency, or (iii) complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in FIG.
 17. 28. An expression construct comprising a polynucleotide including a nucleotide sequence (i) having at least 55% identity, and optionally at least 65% identity, to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in FIG. 17, or (ii) being capable of hybridizing to a probe derived from the nucleotide sequence disclosed in FIG. 17 under conditions of medium to high stringency, or (iii) being complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in FIG.
 17. 29. A vector including the expression construct of claim
 28. 30. A host cell transformed with the vector of claim
 29. 31. A probe for use in detecting nucleic acid sequences coding for an enzyme having phytase activity derived from a microbial source, comprising: a nucleotide sequence (i) having at least 55% identity, and optionally at least 65% identity, to a nucleotide sequence as disclosed in FIG. 17, or (ii) being capable of hybridizing to a polynucleotide including a sequence as disclosed in FIG. 17 under conditions of medium to high stringency, or (iii) being complementary to the nucleotide sequence disclosed in FIG.
 17. 32. The probe of claim 31, wherein said microbial source is a fungal source.
 33. The probe of claim 32, wherein said fungal source is a Penicillium species.
 34. Food or animal feed including an enzyme having phytase activity, wherein said enzyme includes an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity, and optionally at least 80% identity, to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in FIG.
 17. 35. A method of producing an enzyme having phytase activity, comprising: (a) providing a host cell transformed with an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide as defined in claim 23; (b) cultivating said transformed host cell under conditions suitable for said host cell to produce said phytase; and (c) recovering said phytase.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein said host cell is an Aspergillus species.
 37. A method of separating phosphorous from phytate, comprising: treating said phytate with an enzyme (i) having phytate hydrolyzing activity and (ii) including an amino acid sequence having at least 65% identity, and optionally at least 70% identity, to an amino acid sequence as disclosed in FIG.
 17. 38. An enzyme derived from a Penicillium species, optionally P. piceum or P. hordei; said enzyme being encoded by a nucleotide sequence capable of hybridising to a polynucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO. 1, SEQ ID NO. 2, SEQ ID NO. 3, or FIG. 17 under conditions of intermediate to high stringency; said enzyme having one or more of the following physiochemical properties: (1) Molecular weight: between about 45-60 kDa (non-glycosylated), (2) An activity that is specific towards phytate, phytic acid or myo-inositol hexa-phosphate, and/or lower phosphate derivatives thereof; (3) A theoretical pl of between about 7 and 7.6; optionally, about 7.3; (4) A pH optimum within a range of about 4.5-5.5, optionally, about 5; and/or (5) An ambient temperature optimum with a range of from about 40 to about 45 degree C.; optionally, 42-44 degree C. 